Tank discharge valve



April 17, 1956 E. G. SCHMIDT 2,741,775

TANK DISCHARGE VALVE Filed March 18, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 17, 1956 E. G. SCHMIDT 2,741,775

TANK DISCHARGE VALVE Filed March 18, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent" TANK DISCHARGE VALVE Edward G. Schmidt, La Grange, Ill., assigner to Crane Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application lvlarch 18,V 1955, Serial No. 495,195

7 Claims. (Cl. 4-57) This invention relates generally to outlet valves for water closet flush tanks or the like, and, more particularly, it concerns the novel valve closure therefore and its means of attachment and support in operative relation.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a :dapper or flat seating type of closuremember which is mounted for free pivotal movement, and being additionally adapted to flex out of the way of the tank outlet opening.

Another object is to provide a rigid support for the pivotally mounted closure member for effecting the unyielding positioning of the same.

It is a further object in combination with the above objectives to provide means for retaining exible arms of the closure member in substantially tixed relation on the supporting member.

It is still another object to provide a novel button-on type ofmounting between the flexible arms of the closure member .and the supporting structure, said arms being buttoned on from opposite sides of the supporting struc-l ture.

Yet another object is to provide for a simpler and more inexpensively produced flapper valve member for use in closet tanks, said valve member being mountable selectively on the overow tube, the seat member or oor of the tank depending on the installation and the type of mounting desired. Y

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent upon proceeding with the following description read in the light of the accompanying drawing in which Fig. l illustrates a flush tank discharge valve and surrounding portion of the tank, to which the present invention has been applied.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the structure in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing a modied construction.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the latter construction.

Fig. 5 illustrates another modified form.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views. Y Referring in detail to the drawing, particularly Figs. l and 2 thereof, the numeral 1 designates the outlet portion of a ush tank for water closets or the like, the said portion being provided with a seat surface 2 at the upper or inner end of an outlet opening 3 therethrough, the said portion also including overtiow means 4 in uid communication with the said port. In the form illustrated, the seat surface is on a separate ported seat member 5, although the same may be on an integral part of the tank as will be seen for example in Figs. 3 and 4. Also in the present form, the overow means comprises the usual overflow tube arising from the offset portions 6 of the ported seat member 5, whereas in Figs. 3 and 4, the overow means is formed integrally with the tank. In the present instance, the ported seat member is mounted through the tioor of the tank in iluid tight relation generally indicated` at 7. v

The closure member 9 is secured to the outlet portion ice of the ush tank by certain structural means which will now be considered. In the present form, attachment is made to the overow tube 4 by means of the combined clamp and support member generally designated 11. This member is comprised of two attachable parts, the support member 12 proper and the enveloping flat spring member 13. As can be observed, the supporting member is provided with upper and lower flat extensions 14 and 15 vof shelf-like form forming a reduced area 16 therebetween for reception of the at resilient spring mem-.

ber generally designated 13. The said support member which extends forwardly at 17 is provided with an arcuate shoe surface 18 for supporting contact against the rear cylindrical surface of the overow tube. Extending forwardly from this support member is the flat spring`13 formed into a pair of arms 20 extending along opposite sides of the overow tube and formed into inwardly directed reversely bent prongs 21 for contact with the front of the overflow tube. Preferably, these prongs should be so directed that the end surfaces of the prongs contact the overow tube at only the edge thereof, in the form shown this contact being at the innermost edges of the said prongs, that is, the edges closest to the center line of the closure member. In this connection, it should be observed that the resilient arms extend along the overflow tube out of contact with it except at the forward ends thereof, the engagement between the support or clamp member being at only three places, namely, the two prongs and the rear shoe surface 18.

By virtue of the inherent resiliency of the arm portions and its engagement at the front of the overow tube, the rear supporting portion 12 and its arcuate surface are thus in effect pulled forwardly into tight engagement with the rear of the overflow tube, ,and the latter frictional engagement in combination with the edge or biting contact of the front of the prongs provides a xed mounting on the overow tube and prevents rotation relative thereto in the course of operation.

The spring member 13 is mounted on the rear supporting member 12 prior to assembly on the overflow tube by sliding the spring forwardly onto the reduced portion 16 of the supporting member and on into interlocked relation occasioned by the side extensions 23 (only one being shown in the drawing) on opposite transverse sides of the reduced portion and the conforming shape of the spring member which snaps thereonto. The assembled clamp member may be then mounted on the overflow tube by merely pulling the resilient arms slightly apart and slipping the member over the top of the overflow tube, the said member then sliding easily down into mounted relation at the bottom of the overow tube.

The clamp member may be slightly turned into proper aligned position for the desired ultimate seating relation of the valve member.

The rear supporting portion of the clamp member is further provided with a transversely extending portion 25 for actual attachment of the closure member. This latter portion is adapted for pivotal support of the closure member by means which will be brought out hereinafter.

Considering the closure member, this member is of the frapper or iiat seating swinging type, in this instance, being pivotally mounted for free rotation about its attachment. The member is therefore provided with a closure portion 27 of general disc-like form extending across the outlet opening and seat surface in the closed position shown in substantial at seating engagement with the latter as shown. In the form of closure illustrated, a marginal flat portion 28 is provided for actual contact with the seat surface. The inner part on the other hand is raised at 29 presenting together with a depending annular skirt 30 an inwardly tapered cavity 31 for reception and retention of the oat element 32 preferably of lightweight sealed cellular and inherently uid impervious construction, such as foam polystyrene or foam polyethylene. The skirt is preferably inwardly turned at the bottom to form the lip 33 for reception within the groove 34 extendingy around the oat element for further retention of the oat element. Projectingfrom the top of the closure portion is the fiat lug 35 to which is attached a flexible chain 36 for lifting ofthe closure from. the ciosed position by means of the usual operation, not shown.

Extending from the rear of the closure portion are a pair of arms 37 of suiiiicent length toV projectrearwardly beyond thev overflow tube. These arms are provided with enlarged ends 39 coaxially bored at 40. The transversely extending portion or cross support 25 of' the clamp member i1 is formed into a pair of oppositely disposed alignedI buttonformations 41 for engagement and support of the closure member. These portions comrprise reducedv stem portions 42 `projecting through the bored portions 40 'for pivotal support of the closure member.

Outwardly of the stemY portions, the enlarged buttonhead's 43 are provided forV retention of the arms '37 on the stems' Vin operative relation. lt should be noted that'the said` buttonheads'areA rounded or of hernisphericalV shape on the outer side tol facilitate passage of the arms 37 over them in mounting, while the inside is flat for retentionv of vthe armsy when so mounted. In this connection, the' closure member 9 is preferably constructed entirely of iiexible material, such as rubber, except for the iioat element. Also, the raised portion 29 of the closure member may be of'hard rubber or internally reinforced for stiffness. The use of rubber or like mate-- rial provides for distortion and expansion of the enlarged ends 39 over theV buttonheads in' the course ofrnounting. lt should also be noted that the reduced stem portions 42 terminate inwardly in dat surfaces 45 of annular form opposite the at inner surfaces of the buttonheads'which are also annular for positioning of the flexible arms therebetween. TheV length of theV stem portions are only Vslightly Vin excess of the width of the enlarged ends 39 of the closure member, the inner and outer surfaces' of the Vlatter enlarged" ends being fiat to provide for smooth bea-ringengagement with the inner or outer dat' surfaces of the' reduced vstern portions during rotational movement of the'clo'sure.

Although the closureV member is mounted for relatively free and'unrestraine'd pivotal movement, it is also adaptedy to flex in the course of opening. ln the form presently being considered, thisV ffexure particularly occurs inV the y later stage of valve opening. Such fiexure' takes place` principally in the flexible arms 37 and is desirable for effecting the full opening ofthe valve. Considering the opening movement, after tripping of the actuating lever' (not shown) and pulling upward of the chain 36, the closure member primarily Yrotates aboutV the pivots 42 in free pivotal movement for the'irst' stage of its opening movement. This stage ends when thev rear edge of the' disc-like closure portion 27 makes Contact with the overow tube, therefore preventing Vfurther pivotal movement. if the spaced arms 37 'and the restrof theclosure were constructed of non-iieribl'eY material, the opening movement would be limitedV to this stage. ThisV amount of opening, however, is not sulii'cient for the unrestricted discharge of the tank uid and the withdrawal of the depending float element upwardlybeyond the usual downward pull of the dischargestream.. inasmuch as the arms' 37 of the closure Ymember and' the member generally are of flexible construction, the closure portion is permitted' to swing beyond this point, about the bottom which is inY contact. with ythe overflow tube, into a substantially vertical position along side the overflow tube. The closure portiontincluding the4 depending .oal element thereforeV swings free of the outletopeningor the desired. valve operation. The closure. member, of course, remains in Voatation until the water level Vhas fallen to a point sufiiciently low to no longer sustain the same under the inlluence of the discharging stream, at which time it is drawn into the closed position. The latter part of the tank discharge is particularly significant in that the position of the closure member is particularly critical because as it approaches the outlet it increasingly loses its ability to resist the downward pull of the water.

lt is very important, howevenfor maximum efficiency and the desired level of performance for the closure member to remain in'suspension suiciently long toV allow the proper prescribed amount of water to discharge in the iiushing operation and that the closure member will not preseat or close before this amount has passed. To guard against such preseating and to insure eiiiciency of operation, it should be noted that all restraint to iloatation is eliminated in the present construction by providing for free pivotal movement of the closure during the latter part of the tank discharge. This is therefore one of the salient features ofthepresent invention and together with the lightweight construction' of the iloat "portion insures' the desired reliability of valve performance or operation'. Y

YAlso of pertinencei'n the overall valve performance is the' rigidity of the supporting structure 25; This portion which is of substantial size and strength affords inexible fixed support to the closure member. This of irnportance in that it prevents any substantial distension of the closureA member forwardly so as to cause the rear' edge of the closure portion thereof to' become lodged within the outlet portion under the action of the discharging Water and hanging of the-float element onV the op'-Y po'site chamfered4 surface of the port injapartly open posi-V tion.

Although'the closure member-has been shown mounted tothe overflow tube of a separate' and commonly employed seat assembly, lthemember-may', of course, be mountedl to the outlet portion 1 ofthe tank by other means, such .as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. In this case',

the mounting is' directly to the door of the tank, 'the outlet portion of the tank preferably beingy provided with an' integral ceramic ported seat portion 48 having' a seat surface 49'. The supporting or mounting member 51' is provided with' a at base Y52 through which extends the'v bolt 53 for attachment. to the iloor of the tank. Inthe instance shown', the bolt 5'3" continues on through the flanged' portion 54 of a water closet shown fragmentarily which is connected in' close coupled relation to Ythe u'sh tank; VThe base' portion 52 of the mounting member is provided with a flat surface 55 for Contact"V with a corresponding ilat surface 56. o'n a raised lug 57 of the tank; These surfaces provide for fixed positioning of the closure member for predetermined seating engagement of the closure member. Thetop ofthe mounting member is provided. with a cross arm Z5 of. identical constructionxto that shown in connection with the Fig.

Y l form, the same closure member 9 also being employed therewith. This construction is essentially the same as that ofV the other form,l except for the adaptation .for connection .to the floor of the tank and further description will be dispensed with.

Althoughmountings have Ybeen shown to overflow tube and door-.of the tank, other vtypes of mountings are also possible .as for instance to the-separate seat member 59'of that of Fig, 5" form. I'n this case, the po's'tV portion 6i) extends directly from theV rear extension of the seat member', which is otherwise. llike that of Fig. l, being integrally formed therewith. YThis portion is provided with thecross arm 2`5 abovedescribed in connection with the other two forms,.the sameclosure member alsobeing used.

lt should be. understood that while I have shown certemplate such modifications as come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

E claim:

l. In combination with a flush tank or the like having a portion provided with an outlet opening and including a seat surface around the opening at the inner end thereof and overflow means, a valve closure engageable with the seat surface in the closed valve position, said valve closure including a pair of extending arms, said arms being provided with aligned apertures adjacent the ends thereof, means for attaching said valve closure to the said portion of the tank for free pivotal movement into the open and closed positions, said latter attaching means including portions extending through said apertures in the arms for the pivotal movement of the valve closure, said extending portions being formed into reduced stem portions and enlargements outwardly thereof for retention of the said arms on the stem portions, the apertured portions of the said arms being deformable for passage over said enlargements and onto the stem portions for the retention thereon.

2. In combination with a flush tank or the like having a portion provided with an outlet opening and including a seat surface around the opening at the inner end thereof and overflow means, a valve closure engageable with the seat surface in the closed valve position, said valve closure including a pair of extending arms, said arms being provided with aligned apertures adjacent the ends thereof, means for attaching said valve closure to the said portion of tank for free pivotal movement into the open and closed positions, said latter means including means extending between said arms presenting outwardly directed annular surfaces and having oppositely disposed button formations extending outwardly beyond said annular surfaces, said button formations comprising reduced stem portions extending directly from the said surfacesV and enlarged head formations at the ends of the latter, said head formations being rounded on the outside and having inner annular surfaces facing the aforesaid annular surfaces for retention of the said apertured arms of the closure between the said surfaces when the apertured portions of the arms are applied over the enlarged buttonheads and the arms pushed therepast onto the reduced stem portions, said apertured portions of the closure being deformable for insertion over the said enlarged buttonheads.

3. In combination with a flush tank or the like having a portion provided with an outlet opening and including a seat surface around the opening at the inner end thereof and overow means, a valve closure adapted to extend across said seat surface in substantially at seating contact therewith in the closed valve position, said valve closure including a pair of extending arms, said arms being provided with aligned apertures adjacent the ends thereof, means for attaching said valve closure to the said portion of the tank for free pivotal movement into the open and closed positions, said latter means comprising at least normally nonmovable means extending between said arms presenting outwardly directed annular surfaces and having oppositely disposed button formations extending outwardly beyond said annular surfaces, said button formations comprising reduced stem portions extending directly from the said surfaces and enlarged head formations at the ends of the latter, said head formations being rounded on the outside and having inner annular surfaces facing the aforesaid annular surfaces for retention of the said apertured arms of the closure between the said surfaces when the apertured portions of the arms are applied over the enlarged buttonheads and the arms pushed therepast onto the reduced stem portions, said apertured portions of the closure being deformable for insertion over the said enlarged buttonheads, said extending arms of the closure having at least portions thereof permitting ilexure of the closure in the direction of valve opening.

4. In combination with a flush tank or the like having a portion provided with an outlet opening and including a seat surface around the opening at the inner end thereof and overow means, a valve closure engageable with said seat surface in the closed valve position, said valve closure including a pair of extending arms, said arms being provided with aligned bores adjacent the ends thereof, means for attaching said valve closure to the said portion of the tank for free pivotal movement into the open and closed positions, said latter means including a rigid at least normally nonmovable portion extending between said arms and through the bores thereof for support of the closure in the pivotal movement, said latter extending portion having reduced portions for actual reception of the bored arms of the closure in operative relation and enlarged portions outwardly of the reduced portions at each end thereof for retention of the said arms on said reduced portions, the bored portions of the said arms being deformable and permitting introduction of the arms over the enlargements and onto said reduced portions for retention thereon, said reduced portions terminating inwardly and outwardly in ilat annular surfaces for limiting lateral movement of said arms and for positioning of the same in the mounted relation.

5. The subject matter of claim l, said means for attaching said Valve closure to the said portion of the tank being connected directly to the floor of the tank.

6. The subject matter of claim 2, said means for attaching said valve closure to the said portion of the tank being connected to said overflow means thereof for sup port of the said means.

7. The subject matter of claim l, said portion of the iiush tank having the outlet opening including a separate member, the said seat surface around the outlet opening being on the separate member, said means for attaching said valve closure to the said portion of the tank being connected to said separate member.

No references cited. 

